Automatic warning signal



July 27, 1954 H. J. ANDERSON 2,685,005

AUTOMATIC WARNING SIGNAL Filed Jan. 6, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l 37 Z 3 4630 37 a INVENToR. a 47 a/'a/d d Ande/:san v BY A A Tram/YS July 27, 1954H. J. ANDERSON 2,685,005

AUTOMATIC WARNING SIGNAL Filed Jan. 6, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 el QN SiN 53 JNVENTOR. 7 a Z Hara/dd Inde/sof? BY f f3 4 AT/"P/z/i/S Patented July27, 1954 AUTOMATIC WARNING SIGNAL Harold J. Anderson, Kansas City, Mo.,assignor Die Works, Inc., Kansas to Northeast Tool & City, Mo., acorporati on of Missouri Application January 6, 1951, Serial No. 204,747

1 Claim.

This invention relates to automatic warning signals and moreparticularly to such a warning signal for vehicles such as automobilesto indicate when pressure of the operators foot is removed from thevehicle accelerator pedal.

In the operation of a Vehicle particularly in tra-nic many accidents orcollisions occur due to the slowness of relaying a signal from a leadvehicle or subsequent vehicles to the following or trailing vehicleswhen it is necessary to slow down or come to a complete stopunexpectedly. While the operator may observe something that causes himto remove pressure of his foot on the accelerator and be ready to applythe brakes if necessary, the operator of a trailing vehicle usually hasno warning or indication that the operator of the lead car has removedhis foot or pressure thereof from the accelerator until said operator ofthe lead vehicle has depressed his brake pedal. In heavy or fast movingtraffic the shortness of time elapsing. from the time of energizing thestop light by partial depression of the foot brake to full pressure onsaid foot brake for sudden stops is such that the lead vehicle mayreduce speed faster than the trailing vehicle, thereby causing thetrailing vehicle to more closely approach and possibly collide with theleading vehicle before the operator of the trailing` vehicle has time toproperly apply his brakes for adequate reduction in speed.

The objects of the present invention are to provide an automatic warningsignal for immediately advising the operator of ,a trailing vehicle thatthere is no longer pressure being applied to the accelerator of the leadcar; to provide a switch mounted on the accelerator pedal of a vehiclein electrical circuit with a rear signal device such as a signal lightbulb to impart an automatic immediate signal when depressing pressure ofthe operators foot is removed from the accelerator; to provide such adevice with a manual control for breaking the electrical circuit to theswitch and warning signal as when the vehicle is at rest; and to providea simple, efficient switch structure on an accelerator pedal of avehicle and electric circuit therefor for positively interrupting thecircuit to a signal light bulb when the operators foot is resting on theaccelerator pedal or depressing said pedal under vehicle operatingconditions ,and completing the circuit to the signal light bulb toindicate possible slowing and/or stopping of the vehicle when thepressure of the operators foot is not engaged with the switch structureon the accelerator pedal.

(Cl. 20D-61.89)

In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention, Ihave provided improved details of structure, the preferred forms ofwhich are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective View of the switch embodying the features of myinvention and adapted for mounting on an accelerator pedal.

Fig, 2 is a bottom plan view of the forward position or" an acceleratorpedal with the switch thereon.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through the accelerator pedaland switch mounted thereon.

Fig. 4 is a detail section through the accelerator pedal and switch onthe line -Jt, Fig. 3, showing the switch in closed position and a wiringdiagram of the signal light connected therewith.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section similar to Fig. e with the switch in openposition.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a modified form of accelerator pedal andswitch.

Fig. '7 is a longitudinal sectional view through the modified form ofaccelerator pedal and switch showing the switch in closed position.

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional View through the modified form ofaccelerator pedal and switch on the line 8 8, Fig. 7.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

l designates an accelerator pedal hingedly mounted Ias at 2 on the floor3 of a vehicle and connected by an actuator rod ll to a fuel controlsuch as a carburetor (not shown) as in conventional practice. The pedalis of conventional structure, having an inner support plate 5 surroundedby a molded portion B composed of nonconducting material such as rubberor the like.

The portion i5 has the usual tread 'i on the upper surface. An electricswitch 8, constructed in accordance with the present invention, isadapted to be securely attached to the accelerator pedal I of thevehicle and includes a rectangular base plate constructed of anelectrically conductive material such as copper or the like, preferablyhaving laterally spaced longitudinal ribs Ill to lend rigidity thereto.The base plate 9 is provided with oppositely directed arms or fingers Iland l2 extending laterally from side edges i3 and it at the forward endl5 thereof. Located at the rear end It of base plate and extendinglaterally from side edge i3 is a iinger Il similar to ringer l l.Extending downwardly from side edge It, opposite finger Il, is adepending portion lB having an inwardly turned flange i9 which serves asa switch Contact member for a purpose later described.

A spring plate or arm 26 preferably having substantially the samerectangular shape and size as the base plate 9 and having laterallyspaced longitudinal ribs 2i adapted to nest over ribs lc is arrangedover the case plate s. Suitable aligning apertures 22 and 23 arearranged in the base plate s and spring plate 2% preferably in theforward portions of the ribs lil and 2|, said apertures being adapted toreceive suitable fastening devices such as rivets 2li to secure theforward portions or the base plate 9 and spring plateZil together. Theforward end of spring plate 2li is held in contacting engagement withforward end i of base plate s and said spring plate 2c bent slightlyupwardly as at 25 so that the rear end 2E the 1eof is normally spacedabove the rear portion of hase plate 9 by the resiliency of the springplate. However, slight pressure or" an operators foot on the springplate will move or depress the rear portion thereof into engagement withthe upper face of the pase plate. Depending frorn the side 2l adjacentthe rear end 2t of the spring plate il is a contact member 2S having avertical wall 29 provided with an inwardly extending flange 3esubstantially aligned with and underlying the inturned ange is on thebase plate.

The inwardly extending flange i9 or contact member on the base plate 9is provided with a central depression 3l having an opening 32 adapted toreceive an insulation gronimet 33 surrounding Ythe upper end of a rivetSi. Secured around the central portion of grommet 33 in contastingengagement with the flange is is the terminal end 35 of a conductor 3cwhich is insulated from the rivet 3. by means of said grornrriet S3.Secured to the lower end of rivet 3c and in contacting engagementtherewith is the terminal end 3l of a conductor 36. The rivet 34 isprovided with the usual head 39 at the lower end thereof cooperatingwith a head il at the upper end to rigidly secure the terminal ends ofconductors 3S and 33 and insulating gronirnct 33 to the flange i9 sothat the terminal end of conductor te is in electrical contact withflange iii and insulated from rivet Se which is in contact with theterminal end of conductor 33 and insulated from hange it. The flange 3cof contact member 2% is thus in position to contact the rivet head 3c,making connection with conductor 38 and acting as a stop to liinit theupward movement of the rear portion 2t of `the spring plate 2 relativeto the base plate c.

"ig the switch 5 to the accelerator pedal l, underside or" the baseplate e is moved into cont ct with the upper or tread surface of theaccelerator pedal and the depending portion iii engaged with the side ofthe accelerator pedal whereby the flange il! thereof grippingly contactsthe lower surface of the pedal. The switch is then inoved into thedesired position, which is preferably with the forward end thereofaligned with the forward end of the pedal i, but it is obvious 'that itcould be positioned place on the entire length of the accelerator pedal.The arrns or iingers i i, l2 and il are then bent downwardly around theside edges of the accelerator pedal as at il and then cent inwardly asat il? to grip the accelerator pedal to securely attach the switchthereto. The conductor t5 is suitably connected to the usual vehiclebattery d3 having a ground connection Lili. The conductor 38 is providedwith a manual switch l5 such as the ignition switch of the vehicle andalso is connected in series circuit with a signal light bulb it having asuitable ground ll to complete the circuit to battery d3. With theswitch 8 constructed and mounted to the accelerator pedal l andconnected in series with the signal light bulb de, as described, theoperation is as follows:

The spring plate 2@ being resiliently mounted relative to the hase plateE will normally keep the switch 8 closed by the spring plate urging theflange 3c into contact with the rivet 31%. Thus current from the batteryi3 will flow through conductor 35, iiangeY is and depending portion I8which is in sliding Contact with the vertical wall 29, then through theflange et, rivet Sil, conductor 33, switch 5, and signal it to theground al1, as illustrated in Fig. Il. When depressing pressure isapplied to spring plate l as when the operators foot rests tiereon eventhough the accelerator is not depressed, the 3% is disengaged frorn therivet 3.5, breaking thecircuit between conductors and as shown in Fig.5, and interrupting flow of current to the signal light te.

ln starting a vehicle provided with switch B connected in circuit withlight bulb it which is preferably located in a housing (not shown)mounted in a conventional manner at the rear of the vehicle, theignition switch is closed and the engine started. The circuit is thencompleted to switch so that the operator of the signal light isdependent upon switch 8 and said signal light will be energized wheneverthe pressure of the operatcrs foot is removed from the spring plate issufficiently to permit the flange t to engage the rivet head 3c. Whenpressure is applied to the switch spring plate 2e suihciently todisengage the flange 3c frein the rivet head 39, the signal light isdeenergized. Also when pressure is applied to depress the acceleratorpedal as when the vehicle is traveling at a constant speed oraccelerated speed the signal light will be ou The light will instantlyand automatically conie on when pressure is removed from spring plate E@as when decelerating due to the braking force of the engine or due toremoval of the operators foot for applicationof the brakes. Whenpressure is removed from the accelerator pedal and switch to apply thebrakes the automatic rear signal will act as a supplemental warningprior to the rear Stop signal of the ora-kes.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 6 to 8 inclusive, 'theaccelerator pedal 50 is hingedly mounted as at 2 and connected to anactuator rod i in the saine manner as described relative to theaccelerator pedal shown in Fig. 3. The accelerator pedal 5c is providedwith a longitudinal slot el preferably centrally located and of suchsize as to permit an arm 52 to freely operate therein. A bracket 53 issecured to the under side of the accelerator pedal as by suitablefastening devices and has a slot 55 which substantially registers withthe slot 5i in the pedal 5i). Suitable ears Eli depend from the bracket53 adjacent the rear end thereof and carry a pin el' which extendsthrough an aperture 5t of an ear es that depends from the arm c2 topivotallymount said arin on the bracket 53. A nnger Eil depends from thearm 52 adjacent the forward end thereof and extends through a slot Si ofa non-conducting plate 52 suitably secured to laterally spaced dependingsupports 53 carried on the bracket 53. The lower end of the nger 60terminates in a forwardly extending contact portion 64 movable into andout of engagement with the contact 65 mounted on the non-conductingplate 62 and insulated from the bracket 53. The contact 65 is suitablyconnected by a conductor 38 of a signal lamp circuit. A coil spring 66is sleeved around the iinger 60 and has one end engaging the uppersurface of the nonconducting plate 62 and the other end engaging thebottom of the arm 52 to resiliently urge the arm in upward swingingmovement to move the contact 64 into engagement with the contact 65.However, if the automobile operator places his foot on the acceleratorpedal the foot will engage the arm 52 hinging same downwardly,compressing the spring 66 and disengaging the contact 64 from thecontact 65 to interrupt the signal circuit. The conductor 36 of thesignal circuit is connected by a suitable fastening device 61 to thebracket 53 whereby when no pressure is applied to the arm 52, currentcan ow through the conductor 36, bracket 53, pin 58, arm 52, finger 60,contact 64, contact 65 and conductor 38, thereby providing substantiallythe same operation as was described in the form of the inventionillustrated in Figs. l to 5 inclusive.

It is obvious from the foregoing that I have provided an acceleratorswitch connected in circuit with a rear signal device that willinstantly and automatically impart a Warning signal to followingvehicles when pressure is removed from the accelerator pedal and switch,regardless of the position of the accelerator pedal in respect to thefloor of the vehicle.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

An electric switch for controlling a vehicle circuit comprising, anaccelerator pedal covered with an electrical nonconductor, saidaccelerator pedal having a longitudinal slot extending therethroughintermediate the ends thereof, a bracket secured to the under side ofthe accelerator pedal adjacent the slot, an arm having one end hingedlymounted on the bracket below the upper surface of the pedal for swingingmovement of the arm in the slot, resilient means normally positioningthe free end of the arm above the surface of the accelerator pedal forengagement by an operators foot, a pair of electrical contacts, one ofsaid contacts being xed relative to the accelerator pedal and adjacentto the free end of the arm, the other contact being insulated from saidone contact, said contacts being respectively connected in a circuit tobe controlled, and means on the arm and movable thereby into and out ofcircuitmaking engagement with said contacts, the resilient meansnormally positioning the arm whereby the free end of the arm is abovethe upper surface of the pedal and the means on the arm is engaging thecontacts in circuit-making position when the accelerator pedal is atrest and no depressing pressure is applied to the arm, the means on thearm being disengaged from the contacts and in circuit-breaking positionwhen depressing pressure is applied to said arm to move the free endthereof toward a position substantially level with the upper surface ofthe pedal and during depression of the accelerator pedal in vehicleoperating positions.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,760,212 Ruble May 27, 1930 1,823,083 Brown Sept. 15, 19311,956,056 Bellec et al Apr. 24, 1934 2,096,069 Seiden Oct. 19, 19372,128,769 Finnell Aug. 30, 1938 2,435,389 Good Feb. 3, 1948 2,463,088Coombs Mar. 1, 1949

